The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-30
THE STARS IN APRIL.
Jupiter and Mercury In the Morn
ing;
Saturn, Mars, Uranus and Neptune
In the Evening.
Providence Journal.1


Jupiter is morning star until the 21st, and
after that time evening star. On the 21st. at
hve o'clock in the morning, our giant brother
planet Is IN opposition with the sun, his only
superior In the solar system. Hell as far
away from him as possible, and at his near
est point to the earth. The opposition Of
Jupiter Is gala day for terrestrial observ-
ers. for 1t is the time he takes on his most
superb aspect. the time when astronomers
hope, by untiring assiduity to wrest from
his unwilling grasp some Of the secrets Of
his PHYSICAL condition. This privilege may
be enjoyed on the 21st, not only at the time
OF opposition but during the whole month.
for Jupiter is the most brilliant star In the
celestial vault. with one exception, from: the
commencement Of April to its close. We say
with one exception, but Venus ON the
twilight sky, though larger and more fasci-
mating, Is not 50 grand and stately as Jupiter
Is on the dark background Of the midnight
sky. There Is no need of pointing out Jupiter.
Any observer who watches the southeast
horizon about eight O'Clock on the 1st, will
behold his advent, shining like young moon
ana Claiming supremacy over the surrounding
stars.
Venus is evening star. She is so lovely an
object in the glowing western twilight that
1t seems almost like an injustice to give her
the second place on the April record Jupi-
ter, however, reaches the elimination Of his
course, and Venus will not reach her period
OF her period OF greatest brilliancy until the
18th Of August. Therefore she Is not on the
pinnacle OF her fame Just now, but her
charming presence will grace the western
sky till summer closes. She has been lovely
beyond description during March when
shining near the crescent moon or when
pointing out the position Of her fleet-footed
brother Mercury. At the beginning Of the
month Jupiter rises about half hour before
Venus sets. At the end Of the month Jupiter
Is visible as soon as Venus, shortly after
sunset. and the two brightest stars in the
frmanent are seen together for more than
two hours, Jupiter rising In the east, and
Venus sinking In the west till she disappears
below the western horizon, and leaves her
rival without his peer.
Saturn Is evening star. He forms the
third member OF the planetary trio, and al
though not as brilliant as Jupiter and Venus
unites with them In adorning the starlit sky
of April. On the 9th at eight o'clock In the
evening Saturn Is in quadrature on the suns
eastern side. He Is then on the meridian Of
sunset and makes fine appearance as soon
as II Is dark enough for the stars TO come out
as he hangs high In the sky south Of the twin
stars, Castor and Pollux. 1t will be interest
Ing to note approach between Saturn and
Venus, for one Of these days they will meet
and pass each other. On the 25th, at seven
O'Clock in the morning Saturn Is in conjunct-
u, north Of the star. The conjunction occurs
when Saturn Is below the horizon. but planet
and star are near enough on the evening Of
the oath to repay careful observation.
Mercury is morning star throughout the
month. On the nth this swift traveller
among the stars reaches his greatest west
ern el0ngation, being 27' 26 west Of the sun
or nearly at his maximum distance. He Is
visible then and for few days before and
after as morning star Although at nearly
his greatest distance he is so far south Of the
sun that 1t will be difficult to find him, and
no bright star in the nelgborhood serves as a
guide to point him Quit At el0ngation he Is
12o south of the sun, and rises only three
quarters of an hour before him.
Mars Is evening star until the 2ith, and
then becomes morning star. His hitherto
event. On the oath, at six O'Clock in the
evening, he is in conjunction with the sun.
His long career as evening star Is ended, and
passing TO the suns western side, he COM
mences his course as morning star. tie will
be Of little account during the present year,
not becoming visible till October but in 1888
his turn will come to be Of consequence, for
his opposition will then occur, and there will
be chance to study his canals and his moons
Uranus is evening star. He continues in
a favorable position for observation pursu-
ing his retrograde course so that on the oath
he Is in conjunction with the beautiful
double star, Gamma Virginia, passing %
south. The conjunction win afford an .ex-
cellent opportunity for seeiug Uranus with
the naked eye or an opera glass.
Neptune is evening star. On the 18th he is
In conjunctions with Venus as already re-
ferred to. At the close Of the month Jupiter
Uranus, Saturn, Venus and Neptune are
evening stars Mercury and Mars are morn
ing stars.